support for a less waste lifestyle
*website in development
*local sustainable directory of local and national resources to reduce waste - coming soon
born in June 2018 - story so far...
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otherwise known as 'The Waste Hierarchy' or '5Rs of Zero Waste'
Principles of 'Less Waste'
5Rs
REFUSE
AVOID BUYING UNSUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
Say no to anything that ends it's life in landfill.
It's usefulness is temporary, it's existence may be permanent.
Rethink: Do I really need this?
Result: Using buying power to reduce production
REDUCE
BUY LESS, BUY QUALITY
Reduce general consumption.
Use well made, long lasting products. Use multi-use. Use natural, homemade products.
Rethink: How much do I really need?
Result: Lowering the amount of waste produced
REUSE
BUY PRE-USED, REPAIR, UPCYCLE
Stop falling for the convenience of the disposable, start making the effort with reusables.
See the value in pre-used goods. Turn old into new. Fix what would have been thrown away.
Rethink: Do I really need to throw this away?
Result: Getting the most value out of materials
RECYCLE
KEEPING VALUABLE RESOURCES IN USE
If it is man made and can't be refused, reduced or reused, make sure it is recycled.
Make sure it is clean and in right collection.
Rethink: Can this material be reused?
Result: Using materials to make new products
ROT
...THE REST
Compost food scraps and return to the soil.
The ultimate circular & sustainable system.
Rethink: Can I put this back into nature's system?
Result: Recovering organic nutrients from waste
Sustainable Local Directory
(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
how to be less wasteful in Hitchin and surrounding areas
Refuse
what you do not need
1. Fight junk mail. It’s not just a waste of resources, but also of time.
2. Turn down freebies from conferences, fairs, and parties. Every time you take one, you create a demand to make more. Do you really need another “free” pen?Reduce
what you do need
3. Declutter your home, and donate to your local thrift shop. You’ll lighten your load and make precious resources available to those looking to buy secondhand.
4. Reduce your shopping trips and keep a shopping list. The less you bring home, the less waste you’ll have to deal with.Reuse
by using reusables
5. Swap disposables for reusables (start using handkerchiefs, refillable bottles, shopping totes, cloth napkins, rags, etc.). You might find that you don’t miss your paper towels, but rather enjoy the savings.
6. Avoid grocery shopping waste: Bring reusable totes, cloth bags (for bulk aisles), and jars (for wet items like cheese and deli foods) to the store and farmers market.Recycle
what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse
7. Know your city’s recycling policies and locations—but think of recycling as a last resort. Have you refused, reduced, or reused first? Question the need and life-cycle of your purchases. Shopping is voting.
8. Buy primarily in bulk or secondhand, but if you must buy new, choose glass, metal, or cardboard. Avoid plastic: Much of it gets shipped across the world for recycling and often ends up in the landfill (or worse yet, the ocean).Rot
(compost) the rest
9. Find a compost system that works for your home and get to know what it will digest (dryer lint, hair, and nails are all compostable).
10. Turn your home kitchen trash can into one large compost receptacle. The bigger the compost receptacle, the more likely you’ll be to use it freely.
